WASHINGTON — A woman has died after a house fire broke out in Prince George’s County, Maryland, early Friday.
Elaine James, 80, died at a hospital shortly after firefighters rescued her from her burning home in the Seat Pleasant area, fire officials said. The fire happened at a house on the 6800 block of Wilburn Drive around 3:15 a.m. Friday, the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department said in a statement.
James was found unconscious on the first level of the two-story house. Her son, a man in his 50s, was also at home when the fire started but was able to get out before firefighters arrived. He was taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation.
Two firefighters suffered burns, but were treated and released.
Fire investigators said the cause of the fire appeared to be accidental and to have started around the stove in the kitchen. Damage was estimated at $150,000.
Fire officials said there were no working smoke alarms in the house.
Residents who cannot afford to buy their own smoke alarm can call 311 and ask about the fire department’s smoke alarm program. A firefighter can come to your home and install one 10-year smoke alarm for free.
PGFD 6800 block of WILBURN DR, pic.twitter.com/Q5sg1eMuk2
— Rescue3 (@DCFDRescue3) November 24, 2017
This story was first posted Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at 5:56 a.m. It has been updated to reflect the latest information.
